Grammys 2023: Difference Between Record, Song, & Album of the Year Explained

The 2023 Grammy Awards are set to air tonight and you may be wondering about the differences between Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year.

We have the full explainer here, if you don’t already know!

Keep reading to find out the full explanation and see who is nominated this year…

If you don’t know, Record of the Year is awarded to both the performer of the song, as well as the recording engineers who took part in the production of the song. The Record of the Year highlights the performance and the production of the song.

Song of the Year, however, is awarded to the writer of the song, not the artist that sings the song.

Album of the Year used to go to the artist, however, now it goes to the artist and producers, sound engineers, mixers, and songwriters.

Check out the nominees in the three big categories…

Record of the Year
ABBA – Don’t Shut Me Down
Adele – Easy on Me
Beyoncé – Break My Soul
Brandi Carlile Featuring Lucius – You and Me on the Rock
Doja Cat – Woman
Harry Styles – As It Was
Kendrick Lamar – The Heart Part 5
Lizzo – About Damn Time
Mary J. Blige – Good Morning Gorgeous
Steve Lacy – Bad Habit

Album of the Year
ABBA – Voyage
Adele – 30
Bad Bunny – Un Verano Sin Ti
Beyoncé – Renaissance
Brandi Carlile – In These Silent Days
Coldplay – Music of the Spheres
Harry Styles – Harry’s House
Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers
Lizzo – Special
Mary J. Blige – Good Morning Gorgeous (Deluxe)

Song of the Year
Adele – Easy on Me
Beyoncé – Break My Soul
Bonnie Raitt – Just Like That
DJ Khaled Featuring Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend & Fridayy – God Did
Gayle – ABCDEFU
Harry Styles – As It Was
Kendrick Lamar – The Heart Part 5
Lizzo – About Damn Time
Steve Lacy – Bad Habit
Taylor Swift – All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (The Short Film)

Check out the full list of Grammy nominations right here.